Volkswagen Polo named 2010 World Car of the Year
Volkswagen are proud to announce that the Polo has been honoured as the 2010 World Car of the Year. With 59 of the top automotive journalists from around the globe judging, the Polo surpassed a total of 29 other nominees. Announced this morning at the New York International Auto Show in New York City's Jacob Javits Center, the annual World Car of the Year awards recognize the year's most outstanding vehicles based on merit, value, safety, environmental impact, significance, and emotional appeal.
"We're honoured that the Volkswagen Polo was chosen by this distinguished group of jurors," said Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. "After the great triumph of the Golf last year, we are delighted to repeat this success with the new Polo. These automobiles have reaped numerous awards, winning well-nigh every prize the automotive industry has to award. This shows that Volkswagen is on the right track and is offering arguably the best range of products in its history."
The latest generation of the Volkswagen Polo has quickly become a favorite in the brand's lineup to drivers and media alike, with its uncluttered, timeless design, and exceptional versatility and efficiency. More than 230,000 customers worldwide have placed orders for the newest version of Volkswagen's popular subcompact vehicle.
Now in their seventh year, the World Car of the Year awards, have become one of the most credible and significant programs of its kind. The World Car jurors hail from 25 countries, and are appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of their expertise, experience, credibility, and influence. Each juror drives and evaluates new vehicles on a regular basis as part of his ongoing, full-time professional work, and, collectively with all the jurors, reaches millions of consumers and automotive enthusiasts across the globe.
In a separate award, the BlueMotion product brand consisting of the Golf, Passat, and Polo, was declared the 2010 World Green Car of the Year by the World Car of The Year organisation.
The 59 member jury awarded the BlueMotion product brand over two other finalists in the 2010 World Green Car award: the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius.
Jurors felt that: ‘It is not necessary to add an electric motor and a heavy battery pack to achieve class-leading efficiency. Based on Volkswagen's common rail diesel engines, the BlueMotion models are among the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market. In fact, the Passat BlueMotion can travel just about 1,000 miles on one tank of fuel in the European cycle. As far as internal combustion engines go today, these models are the ultimate you can get.’
‘BlueMotion is one of the most successful efficiency brands worldwide. It stands for tremendous competence in efficient and economical drive trains at Volkswagen,’ said Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, delighted about the appreciation by the jury.
The award was received at the New York International Auto Show on Thursday morning by Walter de Silva, head of design for Volkswagen Group.
